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The parents' guide to what's in this website.

Educational Value

Kids can learn about youth rights issues and laws that pertain to crime, school, families, the Internet, their bodies, and their jobs. Judge Tom weaves his answers with advice and a related real-world story, so kids can apply the idea of choice and consequence to their own lives. AsktheJudge.info is a reference site with easy-to-use tools for research, and adding role-playing or decision-making game would boost interactivity and help ensure the information sticks once kids leave the site. Judge Tom not only explains laws but also shows kids how they apply to their lives.

Positive Messages

This site helps kids understand their rights and that laws are meant to protect them as well as prevent them from doing harm to others or themselves.

Violence

Laws related to crimes of a violent nature (e.g. cyberbullying, murder, and fighting) are discussed.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that AsktheJudge.info thoroughly covers kids' rights and related laws, from well-known petty offenses and felonies to less obvious issues that may arise at school, home, or work. It's hard to pin down exactly when kids should learn about the law so it's great that AsktheJudge.info can work for a wide range of ages. Parents should have no concerns giving teens free reign to explore the site, but should help tweens and younger kids navigate through AsktheJudge.info's more mature topics. With younger kids, parents can share appropriate news and stories to jumpstart discussions about right and wrong.

What's it about?

Browse popular topics, questions, and the \"Your Rights\" section to find Judge Tom's answers to kids' law-related questions. Familiar topics like shoplifting and fighting are covered and so are other questions like \"Can my boss read my text messages?\" Kids can submit questions (anonymously if they wish) via the \"Ask a Question\" form on every page; a \"Parent Chat\" is available for grownups to ask stuff, too. The blog contains news about court decisions and cases, and kids can contribute personal thoughts and experiences in the \"Cool Stuff\" section.

Is it any good?

An old television ad used an egg in a frying pan to warn kids off drugs; ASKTHEJUDGE.INFO skips the metaphor and gets straight to the facts. Retired juvenile and family court judge Thomas A. Jacobs addresses kids' questions with answers and advice that emphasize their rights and why we have laws - to protect us and keep us safe. It's easy to submit questions and Judge Tom responds within 24 hours with straightforward, balanced, and fair answers (he's described as "the most nonjudgmental judge you'll ever come across,"). You get the feeling he just wants kids to understand the law so they can stay out of trouble and lead healthy, happy lives. AsktheJudge.info is an excellent resource for parents and kids.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how intent and the ability to tell right from wrong affects what happens when laws are broken. If a very young child breaks the law, should that child be punished in court? At what age should kids be expected to follow laws?

Some states punish cyberbullying with steep fines and possible jail time. Read 5 Things You Need to Know About Cyberbullying and talk about why cyberbullying is wrong, how kids can protect themselves, and what they should do if they become a target.

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